Well, things are moving on apace, as ever, and we are now less than 2 months from this year's day. So, if you are planning on holding an event, reading, workshop, or other on or around the Day, then it's time to get organising and send the details over to us so we can spread the word.
At the moment we're gathering information, ready to do a large update to the website, so if you have something please do send it across. This also applies if you are a writer and would like to update your info, or want to be added, or maybe you represent an organisation/magazine/project and would like a listing. Whatever it is, we want to know so we can share it with everyone else.
With regard to the website, it got a little bit of a facelift earlier this year as a temporary measure. We'd like to do some more work with it so if you are a web-design-person, or know one, and would be willing to donate some time to improving our look, please do get in touch. Thank you!
In other news, we recently ran the FlashFlood journal and published a huge stream of wonderful stories. If you missed it, they are all still online at http://flashfloodjournal. blogspot.co.uk/.
And, if you were following that, it's possible you missed our other announcements that came out on the same day:
First, we announced the winners of our micro-fiction competition. You can read the list of finalists, and their stories, here: http:// nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/ competitions.html.
We also sent out our call for submissions for this year's anthology, closing date of 17th May, full details on the website at: http:// nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/ anthology.html. Please spread the details of this,so we can get as many submissions as possible.
And, of course, that request goes for all of the things we do. It's your participation that will make National Flash-Fiction Day a success, so please spread the website address, Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ nationalflashfictionday) and Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/ nationalflashfd) with anyone who might be interested.
And now, the really interesting things. There are already flash-things afoot, some for the Day, some just because, and you can get involved in any or all of them:
The Lightship One Page competition, judged by yours truly, closes tomorrow, so you still have time to enter if you want to.
And they have a flash-fiction competition, being judged by the wonderful Etgar Keret, closing in June.
The Bristol Prize for short stories also closes tomorrow, at http://www.bristolprize.co. uk/, so enter now!
And Kath Kerr's yearlong flash-fiction project, MrsFlash365 also finishes tomorrow, with the 365th story. If you haven't seen it, now's your time to check it out.
To help you get ready for NFFD, I am once again running my online flash-fiction course, starting on May 7th, full details at http://www.calumkerr.co.uk/ pp007.shtml
1000words, the image based publication, is once again open for submissions until 24th May: http://1000words.org.uk/ the-1000words-national-flash- fiction-day-competition/
Bridport are running their competition again, which closes on 31st May http://www.bridportprize. org.uk/content/flash-fiction- entry.
And if you are in New Zealand, don't forget to submit to the NZ-NFFD competition, closing date 31st May. http://nationalflash. wordpress.com/competition/
Raging Aadvark are once again running their Twisted Tales anthology, with a closing date of 7th July. https:// ragingaardvarkpublications. submittable.com/submit
Spry, is a new literary journal which also publishes flash, so why not have a read of their first issue and consider sending them something http://www.sprylit. com/
Flashpoints, the site-specific flash-fiction project launched for last year's day, is still ongoing. Please do check it out at http://nffdflashpoints. blogspot.co.uk/ and why not head out into the world and write them a story?
And finally, we have our first fully confirmed event for the Day itself, which will be held at the Shrewsbury Coffeehouse on Wednesday 19th June at 7.00pm. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/373661482658904/?fref= ts
That's it for now, but I think that's plenty to keep you busy! Remember to plan your event and send the information over to us, and we'll see you soon!
All best
Calum
Calum Kerr
Director, National Flash-Fiction Day